Donaldson Line’s COLINA and her voyage 37 in 1965 and the mystery of her visit to Tighnabruaich

Donaldson Line’s COLINA and her voyage 37 in 1965

Captain W. F. Joyce, Master.

6 July at Glasgow.   Port bunker top half bulkhead distorted.   Reported by Master 6 July.

6 July at 2040.   Left Glasgow for Avonmouth, commencing voyage 37.

8 July at 0514.   Arrived Avonmouth

10 July at 0150.   Left Avonmouth for Montreal

19 July at 0759.   Arrived Montreal.

19 July at 1730.   Left Montreal for Toronto.

21 July at 0330.   Arrived Toronto.

21 July at 2315.   Left Toronto for Hamilton.

22 July at 0253.   Arrived Hamilton.

22 July at 1936.   Left Hamilton for Welland.

23 July at 1137.   Arrived Welland.

23 July at 1736.   Left Welland for Humberstone.

23 July at 1823   Arrived Humberstone.

25 July at 1504.   Left Humberstone for Port Colborne.

25 July at 1840.   Arrived Port Colborne.

26 July at 1705.   Left Port Colborne for Toronto.

27 July at 0540.   Arrived Toronto.

27 July at 1645.   Left Toronto for Quebec.

29 July at 1232.   Arrived Quebec.

31 July at 1645.   Left Quebec for Tighnabruaich, which is a tiny, remote Highland village in the Kyles of Bute, Firth of Clyde.

9 August at 0720.   Arrived Tighnabruaich.

9 August at 1600.   Left Tighnabruaich for Glasgow.

9 August at 2125.   Arrived Glasgow and ended voyage 37.

   The burning question for the entries for 9 August is why on earth would the ocean-going cargo liner COLINA call at Tighnabruaich for 9 hours.  

   The one-road village is amazingly small and strung out along a remote coastline, and has a small wooden pier which is occasionally used in the summer months by the excursion passenger vessels on the Clyde. There is no industry and certainly no Customs or Immigration and no Dock labour force.  The village has a population of around 200 people.

   And, more pointedly, Tighnabruaich is situated in a narrow strait of water well off the shipping channel which ocean vessels would use on entering and leaving the Clyde.

   If anyone can solve the mystery of COLINA at Tighnabruaich please let us know using the "Contact us" button at the top of the page.